Mowing-machine



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. L. HOPKINS.

MOWINH MACHINE. No. 307,948. Patented Nov. 11,1884.

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MOWING MACHINE.

No. 307,948. Patented NOV. 11, 1884.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. L. HOPKINS.

MOWING MACHINE.

l No. 307,948. Patented Nouv. 1l, 1884.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

11.I L. HOPKINS.

MOWING MACHINE.

No. 807,948. Patented Nov. 11,1884.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5. H. L. HOPKINS. MOWNG MACHINE. No. 307,948. Patent-ed Nov. l1, 1884.

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HARVEY L. HOPKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOWING-VIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 307,948, dated November l1, 1884-.

Application filed May 18, 1883. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ wlw/71, t may concern:

Be it known that l, HARVEY L. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Blowing-Machines, which are fully set forth in the following specifica-- tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a side elevation of a machine embodying my improvements, with the inside supporting-wheel removed; Fig. 2, a section of the same, taken on the line a: x, Fig. l; Fig. 3, aplan section of the same, taken on the line y y, Fig. l; Fig. 4, a detail elevation of the lifting-wheel and detent detached, taken in section on the line .e z, Fig. 2, and on an enlarged scale; Fig. 5, a detail side elevation and plan ofthe rear end of the tilting bar or lever on the same scale; Fig. 6, a detail section taken on the line t o, Fig.. 2, on the same scale; Fig. 7, a detail inside elevation of a portion ofthe outer wheel, showing the main gear-guard on the same scale; Fig. 8, a detail section of the same, taken on the linew w, Fig. 7 Fig. 9, a detail elevation of the same on the outside of the wheel, showing the cap for the main pinion; Fig. l0, an elevation showing the cutting apparatus thrown up for transportation.

My invention relates to that class of machines in which the cutting apparatus is arranged in front of the supporting-wheels, generally called front/cut machines.77

The invention consists in various improvements to different parts of the machine, which I will proceed to describe fully, both as to oonstruction and operation, and will then point out definitely in the claims the special improvements which I believe to be new and wish to protect by Letters Patent.

Many of the main parts of the machine do not differ essentially from like parts in other machines of this class, and a special description of them will therefore be omitted, such parts being referred to only as it may become necessary in the description of my special improvements.

In the drawings, A represents the main frame of the machine, which is mounted on an axle, a, on which are the supporting-wheels B and B, the rst being the outer and the second the inner supporting-wheel, and both provided with backing-ratchets, as usual. The main gear-wheel b is attached to the axle and turns with it. The main frame extends somewhat in rear of the axle, and is provided with suitable journal-bearings for the counter-shaft C, which is arranged in rear of the axle, and on its outer end carries a pinion, c, with which the main gear engages, and at its inner end carries the main bevelgear, which drives the crank-shaft in the usual manner. This rear extension, a', of the main frame also furnishes a support for an equalizingspring, as will `be hereinafter described. The crank s shaft is mounted in the central portion, a, of the main frame, which extends forward and downward from the axle. This portion of the frame is contracted, and, in fact, is little more than a large bar or arm, preferably tubular in form. The main frame is also provided with lugs a, projecting upward, and arranged about on a line with the wheel-axle and a little inside of the center of the machine. hinged to these lugs by means of a casting, d, to which the pole is attached, and which is provided with depending lugs for this purpose. This pole-casting cl is also extendedl backward of the pole, being preferably curved, as shown in the drawings, and terminates above the rear extension of the main frame. On this rear portion of the pole-casting is an upright stud, d, which serves as a stop to the springstandard E, on which the seat e is mounted, the standard being attached to the pole just in front of this stop. A spiral spring, F, is placed within a cup or tubular holder, j', which is inverted and its upper end arranged underneath a suitable seat bearing on the rear end of the pole-casting. Aplunger or follower, f', fitting the spring-cup, is inserted in the latter below the spring, and rests at its lower end upon a suitable seat 'on` the rear extension of the main frame, the relative arrangement of these parts being shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The construction and arrangement of these parts fare such that when the machine is in ordinary working position the spring will be` more or less compressed, and therefore will tend to throw downward the rear of the main frame-or, in other words,

The pole D is IOO i l @0mm tilt upward the portion in front of the axle. This spring will thus operate as an equalizingspring, it being made sufficiently strong to counteract the tendency of the gearing to turn the frame with it, which would tilt it in the opposite direction, so that the frame is easily adjustable on the axle. This action of the spring also places the principal weight of the inner shoe or finger-bar upon the axle, so that, instead of riding heavily upon the ground or being carried upon the pole, this additional weight is thrown upon the driving-wheels and increases the traction of the machine. This result also lessens the draft, which is increased when the finger-bar rides heavily upon the ground, and relieves the weight upon the horses neck which is occasioned by supporting the shoe and linger-bar upon the pole.

In connection with the mode of attaching the pole to the main frame above the axle, as already described, this spring will also operate to raise the cutting apparatus slightly from the ground in backing, so that in turning corners or backing from au obstacle the attendant will not find it necessary to raise the cutting apparatus by the lever, except in extreme cases. The spring may be made strong enough to more than counterbalanee the frame when the machine is not at work, so as to throw up the front end of the frame and cutting apparatus automatically, while the depressing effect of the gearing heretofore mentioned will keep the cutting apparatus toits work when in motion. I prefer, however, to employ a weaker spring, and to depend somewhat upon the leverage of the pole attachment to the main frame, which obviously will have a tendency in backing to tilt upward the forward end of the main frame. The spring holder and plunger are preferably mounted loosely in position, so that they may be readily removed for repairs, if any are required, the tension of the spring being suflicient to hold these parts in proper position on the machine. The inner shoe, G, is provided with an inner extension or coupling-arm, g, which is connected by a knuckle or swiveling piece, H, to a coupling-piece or bracket, I, by means of which the shoe and cutting apparatus attached thereto are counectedto the ma-in frame. This coupling-piece is pivoted at its lower end to the front portion ofthe main frame. Its upper end, on theinner side, is provided with a suitable lip or guide-flange, fi, which is held within a suitable receiving flange or guide, el, on the main frame, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The shoe-extension is curved upward, and the connection to the coupling-piece I is above the pivotal joint of the latter. It is of course obvious that the rocking of the coupling-piece I will also rock the inner shoe, and with it the cutting apparatus, and it is also obvious that, owing to the arrangement of the connecting-j oints justreferred to,the backward and forward vibration of this couplingpiece will also carry the coupling-arm of the shoe backward and forward somewhat. This movement permits the tilting ot' the finger-bar' in its track without changing the relative position horizontally of the pitman and cutterbar, (a difliculty which is found with most tilting finger-bars) which change increases friction and frequently causes breakage. A rod or bar, K, is connected at one end with the upper end of the coupling-piece, extends rearward, and at its other end is provided with an enlarged head, 7c, in which is cut a longitudinal slot, 7c. This bar I call a tilting77 bar or lever, and it is connected at its rear end with the main frame by means 0f apin or bolt, J, to one end of the lugs, to which the pole-piece is attached, and, infact, if desired, it may be,as shown in the drawings, an expansion of the pivot bolt or pin by means of which the pole-piece is connected to 'the main frame.

It is obvious that the shoe and cutting apparatus will be free to rock within the limit of the length of the slot in this tilt-ing bar, which is sufficient to enable the finger-bar to turn upward automatically and pass over all ordinary obstacles. This li/mit to the tilting operation may be adjusted, and I have shown means for accomplishing this result by providing a series of holes,7r", in the slotted head, in any one of which a pin, L, may be inserted in rear or in front ot' the connecting-bolt, thereby practically limiting the length ofthe slot. When the pin is placed in rear of the bolt obviously the downward tilt ofthe cutting apparatus is limited, and so the cutting apparatus may be adjusted to suit the height of cut desired. Of course, by the employment of two pins, one on each side of the bolt the nger-bar may be held rigidly so that it cannot tilt at all. -A brace bar or rod, M, is pivoted at its end to the inner shoe, extends backward, and is attached at its rear end by a ball-and-socket joint to a bracket, m, depending from the main frame. The lifting-chain N is connected at one end to the inner shoe, and at the other end to a sheave,' O, over which it passes, this sheave being turned by means of a hand-lever, l?. The sheave is mounted on a projecting arm ofthe pole piece. The first effect of moving the hand-lever back and winding the chain upon the sheaveis to tilt upward the shoe and cutting apparatus, but when the limit of this tilting operation is reached by the operation of the tilting bar above described the further movement ofthe hand-lever will lift or raise the cutting apparatus from the ground, and so both the tilting and lifting of the cutting appara-tus is effected by a single lever.

In order to provide sufficient movement of the lever for this purpose, I make it separate from the sheave and mounted on the same arm as the latter, providing a spring, p, by means of which it is held to the face of the sheave,

f which is provided with notches e for the reception of the lever. On the opposite side of the sheave I provide a dog or pawl, R,which engages with notches on the hub of the sheave, so

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as to hold it when turned backward. It will thus be seen that the hand lever may be used simply to tilt the cutting apparatus, if desired,without disengaging from the sheave, and also in the same way to lift the cutting apparatus from the ground to a height sufficient to pass over all ordinary obstacles; but when it is desired to lift the cutting apparatus to the fullest extent, for transportation or any other purpose, the leveris thrown backward an easy distance, then disengaged from the sheave and thrown forward to engage with another notch in the latter, whereby successive turns are given to the sheave until the cutting apparatus is raised to the height desired. The pawl R holds the sheave from turning back and dropping the cutting apparatus while the lever is being shifted. A draft-rod, S, is hinged at its rear end to the arched portion of the inner shoe at a point sufficiently high to cause the draft to have a tendency to rock the shoe forward, so as to depress the guard-fingers lightly and cause them to remain on the ground, except when the pin or tilting rod is employed to elevate them, or when they come in contact with some obstruction over which they will pass by tilting upward. This draft-rod at its front end is supported by a chain, s, or other suitable device depending from the pole. The double-tree is attached to the forward end of the draft-rod under the pole. I also provide a guard, T, which is attached to the main frame underneath the axle, and is arranged on the inside of the main gearing, so as to protect the latter from the dirt and dust, being constructed to serve as a shield for this purpose, as shown in Figs. 7 and S of the drawings. It extends down so as to cover the inside of the wheel, and is provided with a iiange, t, which projects forward over the teeth of the gearwheel at this portion thereof'. On the outer end of the bearing of the counter-shaft there is also casta shield or cap, Q, for the countershaft pinion, as shown in Fig. 9 o1" the drawings. The main gearing, therefore, is reasonably protected, and the rest of the gearing of the machine is covered and protected by ordinary devices. Vhen it is desired to throw the linger-bar up for transportation, the tilting rod is left free to move backward as far as possible, and the hand-lever is then operated successively, iirst tilting the finger-bar upward as far as possible, and then turning it upward, iu which movement it also turns backward somewhatinto the position shown in Fig. 10 ofthe drawings. Now, it will be seen that the finger-bar in this position is supported by the shoe-extension and the bracket depending from the axle to which the brace-bar M is pivoted. The weight of the finger-bar in this position is therefore destroyed, so as to operate mainly on the axle, and not upon the pole.

The remaining parts of the machine I need not here describe. I will simply say, however,

that in the cutting apparatus I prefer to use the improved cutter heretofore patented by me, and I also prefer to employ the twisted pitinan, (for which I have also previously obtained Letters Patent,) though these devices are not obviously necessary to the other parts of the machine.

I do not wish to be understood as restricting myself to the precise construction and arlrangement of all the parts of the machine as they are shown in the drawings and have been described above, for changes in details may be made without departing from the principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters 8o Patent, isi l. In a front-cut mowing-machine, a vibrating main frame extending in front4 and rear of the axle, in combination with an equalizingspring arranged to act upon the rear extension of the frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. A

2. In a front-cut mowing-machine, a vibrating main frame extending in front and rear of the axle, in combination with a pole-support 9o extending in rear of the axle and an equalizing-spring arranged between the pole-support and the main frame in rear of the axle, sub- .stantiall y as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a front-cut mowing-machine, a vibrating frame extending in front and rear of the axle, in combination with apole hinged to the main frame at points projecting therefrom above the axle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth..

fi.' In-a front-cut mowing-machine, a vibrating main frame extending in front and rear of the axle, in combination'with the pole hinged to the main frame at points thereon above the axle, and an equalizing-spring arranged to act upon the frame in rear of the axle and depress this portion of the frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a front-cut mowing-machine, a vibrating main frame extending in :front and rear of 1 Io the axle, in combination with a pole hinged to the main frame at points above the axle, and extending in rear of the latter, and an equalizing-spring arranged between the rear pole-extension and the main frame iu rear of the axle, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A vibrating main frame, A, in combination with a hinged pole, D, aspiral spring, F, and a spring-holder and followers, f f', ar- 12o ranged and operating substantially as described.

7. The vibrating main frame A, provided with upwardly-projecting lugs a3, in combination with a pole-support, d, provided with de- 125 pending lugs, by which it is hinged to the lugs on the main frame, a spiral spring, F, and a spring-holder and follower, f f', all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a mowing-machine, a vibrating coupling-piece or bracket pivoted to its support, in combination with the inner shoe and its coupling-arm attached to the coupling-piece IOO above its pivot, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The main frame A,in combination with a vibrating coupling-piece pivotedto the main frame, the inner slice, and knuckle-joint connecting the said shoe to the coupling-piece at a point above its pivotal support, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The inner shoe, G, provided with an arm, g, extending inward and upward, in conibination with the knuckle H, the couplingpiece I, guide i, and inan frame A, substantially as described.

11. The vibrating or rocking coupling-piece pivoted to its support and free to rook in either direction, in combination with the inner shoe hinged to saidcoupling-piece, and a tilting bar hinged at one end to the coupling-piece, and at the other conneetedto the main frame by means which permit a movement of said bar lengthwise within certain limits, wherebyT the coupling-pieec and shoe are permitted to rock freely within the limits of the movement of the tilting bar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. The inner shoe, G, in combination with the vibrating coupling-piece I, the tilting bar K, connected at one end to the coupling-piece, and provided with a slot, 7c', at its other end, and the bolt J, passing through the said slot to connect the tilting bar to the main frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. The vibrating coupling-piece to which the inner shoe is connected, in combination With the tilting bar K, provided at one end with the slot 7s and a series of holes, k2, the fastening-bolt J, and the stop-pin L, whereby the movement ofthe tilting bar may be regulated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The vibrating coupling-piece pivoted to its support, in combination With the slotted tilting bar, the inner shoe and linger-bar, the lifting-chain ahd sheave, andthe lever for operating said sheave, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. The main frame A, in combination with the coupling-piece I, slotted tilting bar K, inner shoe, G, carrying the finger-bar, knucklepiece H, chain N, sheave O, and lever P, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. The finger-bar, in combination with the rocking inner shoe and shoe-extension, the tilting bar K, the brace-bar M, the bracket m, depending from the main frame, and the liftinglever P, whereby the Cutter-bar is thrown up and supported for transportation,substantial] y as described.

HARVEY L. HOPKINS.

Vitnesses:

W. C. CoRLIEs, A. M. BEST. 

